Shinn Shots Photography

Simply Authentic

Welcome to the Shinn Shots Photography Blog! You can check back here to see first shots from recent photo shoots, upcoming events, and exciting promotions.

New Informational Posts
You may have noticed that I've recently begun writing informational posts for all you parents out there. I am so grateful for all my clients, I figured that this was one small way I could give a little bit back to you!

Upcoming Photo Events
Fall of 2011 is here! Where did summer go? Don't forget about those Christmas card portraits. Drop me a line to schedule your fall session. 2011 has been a great year...here we come 2012!

Nov 05 2011

: The L Family : Simon’s 2!

I really want to introduce Simon to Gabriel because these are two of the happiest kids I’ve ever met.

I’ve been lucky enough to take pictures of Simon since before he was born, and even luckier to be good friends with his parents. A couple weekends ago I made the journey up to North Carolina, back to my grad school stomping grounds. There’s just something I love about North Carolina. For the longest time I really didn’t understand what it meant to feel bound by the land or to feel as if you just belonged somewhere…but that’s how I feel about NC. I love the people, the scenery, the mountains and ocean. If I could convince all 9 of our family members (plus my husband!) that currently reside in Georgia to move to North Carolina, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

But I digress…

I’ve been friends with Simon’s mom, Joanna, since 2003 when we both started grad school at UNC-Greensboro. I opted out after a Masters and she went on for the PhD. (Although I still don’t call her doctor Joanna) And I’ve been taking pictures of their family since Joanna and Geoff’s rehearsal dinner. My, how time flies!

Have I mentioned how special it is to be involved in a family’s life story through photography?

Yup. I think I made the right choice leaving school before getting a PhD to pursue photography (although I didn’t know it at the time).

Back to Simon again…

Just as he was a year ago at his two-year-old shoot, he was an absolute joy! He was always ready to smile and enjoyed our chilly walk through the woods. And what a cutie! I could have spent the whole day with this kid. Luckily I got most of the morning plus a fabulous chocolate chip pancake breakfast at Tex and Shirleys – my all time favorite breakfast place!

Thank you again to Joanna and Geoff for giving me an excuse to come to North Carolina and for always calling on me despite the long distance

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Topic: Families Tags: family, north carolina, toddler

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JoannaNovember 5, 2011 - 9:45 am

Lauren – Thanks so much for the wonderful preview. We can’t imagine anyone else but you taking our photos. You really are capturing our family history! Plus, it’s always great to catch up with you! Next time, I promise to carve out more time to spend with you. Things have definitely changed since our days in grad school! ‘Wouldn’t give those years up for anything but, glad to be in another phase of life!

Lisa BennerNovember 5, 2011 - 2:04 pm

Lauren – You continue to amaze! Wonderful pictures – obviously everyone had a good time and it shows! Your spirit and love for your craft comes through in each picture. Thanks!

Oct 22 2011

:The W Family: Mark’s One Year!

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I think one of my all time favorite things about this job is that after just a little bit of time, clients turn into friends.

I’ve been taking pictures of sweet baby Mark since before he was born – and I’ve loved every minute of it! It is simply amazing to watch a baby grow and change from a newborn to a one year old through the lens of a camera.

Mark’s one year session was an interesting one since he decided, for the first time ever, to skip his morning nap. How do babies always know when it’s picture day? Mark’s such a happy boy, so we still got some smiles, just not quite as many as we usually do. I love the how his hair sticks up a little on the sides – such a “little kid” thing!

We also squeezed in some family portraits. The kids had a great time taking pictures with their special animals and playing around with balloons. My fabulous assistant, Amanda, joined me for the session and was a genius at getting the kids to smile. From talking in animal voices to using up all her air blowing up balloons, she pulled out all the stops and got the grins!

After a lunch break, we got some more casual shots on the W couch. The kids grabbed a book and just hung out while I snapped some shots. We even had a little time to get a few pictures of mom and dad stealing a moment when kids weren’t around. Such a sweet couple – no wonder their family is so nice!

Buford Photographers

Although I had fun and completely enjoyed my morning with the W family, my favorite part was this letter given to me by their eldest son:

He even remembered that I have cats!

Needless to say, it’s getting framed and hung in my office

I think I must have the best job in the whole world. A giant thank you to all of my clients, and especially the W family, for making it the best job.

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Topic: Families Tags: baby, family, georgia

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Sep 26 2011

: The C Family :

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Taking portraits of friends is one of my most favorite things to do. I’ve spent almost all summer catching up with friends through my lens! My most recent portrait session was with some new friends to me, but some old friends of my husbands. Alec was a groomsmen in our wedding. We’ve been able to hang out with their family more often recently and I’ve loved getting to know them better! Gatherings are always so relaxed and include fun things like dancing in front of the Xbox Kinect and my child winding their child up in his jumpy seat and then letting him go so he spins at great speeds! I’ve been getting to know Melissa and we get along fabulously. She always speaks her mind, which is a quality I greatly value, and she never fails to make my laugh.

For our portrait session, I got the morning off from my own kiddo and was able spend a relaxed morning/afternoon with the C family. We even enjoyed lunch together and I got to watch my first episode of the TV series Raising Hope. (How great is my job? I get to sit back and watch TV with my clients!) The episode was related to photography…but mostly it was just hilarious!

The best part of the session was getting to spend some time with Gabriel, the absolutely adorable 7 month old who lights up a room with his smile. His whole face just beams when he smiles! It’s addictive to be around. He did wear out after about 2 hours of pictures, but he hung in there like a champ through several wardrobe changes and even gave us a few more smiles after he was “done.”

And let me tell you, Gabriel is one lucky kid. I don’t believe I’ve ever photographed young parents that were so much in love. Even just catching a glimpse through my lens, Alec and Melissa’s relationship is clearly a special one. They both have a wonderful sense of humor and are very passionate about each other. It is just a joy to photograph two people who are so relaxed and so in love. And this wasn’t an engagement session…it was a session for their 7 month old! It is like a breath of fresh air to see a married couple so very much in love.

Atlanta Photographers

Thanks C Family for a fun day and for being a wonderful example of a loving family. We can’t wait to get together again soon!

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Topic: Families Tags: baby, family, georgia, studio

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: The L Family : Simon’s 2! » Shinn Shots PhotographyNovember 5, 2011 - 8:14 am

[...] The L Family : Simon’s 2! TweetShareI really want to introduce Simon to Gabriel because these are two of the happiest kids I’ve ever [...]

Jul 08 2011

: The D Family :

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I wasn’t sure we were going to fit Sofi’s session in before the evening summer thunderstorm rolled through, but we made it just in time!

Although no other members of the D family are pictured here, I became friends with Sofi’s mom last winter and I also had the pleasure of meeting Sofi’s aunt and grandmother who joined us for our photo shoot at the park. It was a girls day out!

Except for the unbearable Georgia heat and humidity, we all had a great time making our way around Sims Lake Park for Sofi’s session. Sofi was so willing to be helpful, even when it meant going from rocks, to fence, to lake, to stairs. She was so good at listening and smiling that we worked our way around the park in no time at all.

As Sofi was doing a quick change at our last stop before moving to the playground, her mom reminded Sofi of the balancing ropes she had loved so much the last time. Sofi’s face was blank for a minute until her mom described then again, and then her face broke out into a huge grin. A grin I hadn’t seen much of during all those sweet smiles she was giving me! There’s nothing quite like seeing a kid’s face break out into a truly joyful grin. I couldn’t wait to get to the playground and see some more of those smiles…so Sofi and I went ahead of her family and skipped our way there. And it’s a good thing we got there fast. The sky was already turning dark and the thunder was rolling in. We had about 15 minutes on the playground before the rain started pouring!

Can you tell that she was pretty excited to get to the playground? Her feet aren’t even touching the ground!

I’m so glad we got our session in before the rains came. Sofi has a natural way of looking like a the essence of childhood in some shots and a beautiful china doll in others. Gorgeous!

Thanks to Sofi and all the ladies from the D family for a great day at the park!

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Topic: Kids Tags: georgia, kid, sims lake park

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Jul 01 2011

: The W Family : Mark at 8 Months

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I adore this sweet boy! What a wonder to watch him grow before my eyes…and my lens!

I love taking pictures at this age. Babies are still so rolly and extremely smiley. Mark was no exception! He ate the camera up It took me quite awhile to narrow down from all the portraits I took because he’s just so cute!

I can’t wait to get Mark’s one year portraits in another 4 months!